Arizona weekly enterprise., 1887-05-07
INDIAN FIGHTING.
"Reminiscences of the Raids of Sitting Bull and His Painted Warriors.

Bull and His Painted Warriors. "Why do keep that cartridge-box hung over my deskP It's a relic of my life on the plains. for around that little box cluster some of my greatest trials. " The speaker, middle-aged man, was 1 seated in his office on Court street. ''lt first became mine when 1 joined the 22d regiment at Fort Gratiot in July, 1876. about the time brave Gus ter and his command had gone to slaughter. Troops were hurried into the field. On the 7th of the month our detachment started for Fort Lincoln. We found the garrison there very small, all troops that could be spared having been sent to the front. We marched to Powder river where we met Indians in large numbers. Gus ter's commandd- had left a-la+- -St corn on the right bank of, the Yellowstone, and when we came up the redskins were ferrying it across to the other bank.
 ''It was my first fight, and how mar row was my escape that little hole in the box bears witness.
 "A few miles further on we reached the Indian camp, and there found the arms of the slaughtered command. While there I took up a revolver I found in tent and put it in my inner coat-pocket, trusting 1 might some time need it. Continuing our march, under the direction of Buffalo Bill, we made for Glendive creek, and there went into winter quarters.
 1.-The Indians lowered in large num- bers about the camp. It was the uni versal belief among the troops that go- ing out of camp on scouting duty meant death. It was by no means pleasant news to me to be detailed to carry the mail between Glcndive and Fort Buford, seventy-five miles away. 1 was accompanied by half-breed scout. The trip was made successfully. After we returned to camp was sent with a detachment of scouts to the headquar- ters at Glendive creek.
 ''Three days after we arrived h. dians surrounded Us. Among the hills were hundreds of savages in fierce war paint. The commanding officers met in council, and about midnight 1 was ordered to report. The colonel said: I want you to take this dispatch to Fort Buford. Travel as fast as you can, and deliver this in person to Col Hazen; our ammunition and provisions are gi ing out. I started. The night was clear and still. The guard let me out through the picket line, and, lead ing my horse, I stole off into the dark ness, revolver in hand.
 ''I started my horse on slow trot and rode at that speed for about twen- ty miles until rode directly into an Indian camp. The dogs announced my arrival, and in moment more the lndla ans Were in hot pursuit; but my 1 horse was one to be relied upon, and I soon left most of my pursuers far bcA hind. There webc two young bucks,) however, who kept close after my trail for hours. My horse was becomin! winded and 1 determined to fight. Drawing my carbine I fired one shot killing one of my pursuers' horsri, which had some effect, as the Indian gave up the chase. At 10 o'clock the next day 1 was in Fort Buford, and two hours later large body of cavalry, with wagon train, started for the be- seged camp. When 1 started to re- turn the train was about twenty miles ahead of me. The wagon train missed the right trail. I was unable to find the command, and after hunting sever al hours in the rain 1 determined to start for the camp on Gle alive creek. My horse was in bad condition, and I concluded 1 ould camp for an hour and make little coffee. It was now dark. Picketing my horse, kindled a fire. and throwing aside all my arms and taking of my belt determined at all hazards to take a rest.
 Il was making myself com fortable when heard what seemed to be the bark of a prairie wolf. 1 knew what it meant. There were Indians about, and the bark was simply a ignal. It was i repeated, and then 1 noticed two dus- ky forms stealing along the ground. My loaded rifle was within reach, and, 1 picking it up. l took quick aim and fired. A cry of pain followed. and without waiting to heed the shouts of | rageI ran for my horse, and mounting l started at break neck speed, not for the fort. as 1 should have done, but in the opposite direction. l found that i my arms were gone but one. 1 still had the revolver had picked up in the camp where we had found the arms of l Custer's men.
 1 l rode all that night. and on the fol- lowing night ran successfully into camp Glendive, without any trouble save personal encounter with one h. dian near the picket line. The next i day Col. Hagen arrived with re-en- ' forcements, and Sitting Bull and his blOodthirsty savages were foiled. A WA,aE after I with a fnrnka fn Fort Buford, and on the ground where had left it was my rifle, and near by the cartridge box.-Boston Globe.